Freedom, such a simplistic word defined differently by everyone. According to Webster dictionary, freedom is defined as “the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action.” While this textbook definition may be true, the word freedom is much more complex than that. What the dictionary doesn’t mention is that freedom can be interpreted in so many different ways and comes with much responsibility. E.L. Doctorow’s novel, Ragtime, is the perfect example of the different ways people view freedom. Each of the characters are from different walks of life which alters their perception of freedom in America. At this time in America, major societal changes are taking place and Doctorow uses each character to represent how these changes
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Freedom comes with the idea of being able to discover one’s own purpose in life. Throughout the book, he looks for a sense of self. He feels as though he needs someone or something in his life to cling to. Symbolic of this need is how he is referred to in this book. He doesn’t go by his own name, rather he is referred to in relation to another person, mother’s younger brother. He does not like being alone and doesn’t know how to handle it. This is why he follows Evelyn Nesbit around and quickly “falls in love” with her. Soon enough Evelyn realizes it’s more of the idea and her image that he is concerned with, rather than actually being in love with her. Many people and countries are like this. They don’t believe they can stand on their own and are constantly in need of others to tell them what to do and provide for them. Freedom is limited. Even though that is an oxymoron, it’s true. People can only be so free. No one can stand on their own and no country can truly survive without the support of another. No person can survive without some kind of reliance on others. Mother’s younger brother represents peoples fear of failure and being alone. The idea of freedom sounds so great but in reality people need some kind of structure. As a young idealistic male with little direction in life, mother’s younger brother eventually joins Coalhouse’s group of revolutionaries. He voluntarily puts himself under structure …show more content…
His idea of freedom is one of equality. Though the law may say one thing, it’s how the law is practiced that makes the difference. For example, Coalhouse tries to drive down a road past a fire station and is not permitted access by the white firemen. There is no law against him driving that way, however, policemen side with the firemen. At this point in time, racism is still extremely prevalent. History.com states, “In the years following the end of Reconstruction [1865-1877], the South reestablished many of the provisions of the black codes in the form of the so-called "Jim Crow laws." These remained firmly in place for almost a century, but were finally abolished with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.” Black codes were originally put into place in 1865, at the start of the Reconstruction era, in an attempt to enforce something as close to slavery as legally possible. The American Yawp Reader states that Black codes were made legal in society in order, “to regulate black behavior and impose social and economic control. While they granted some rights to African Americans – like the right to own property, to marry or to make contracts – they also denied other fundamental rights.” (TAY, “Mississippi Black Code, 1865,” n.p.) Following the Reconstruction era came the Progressive era, which was sparked in order to make economic, social, and political changes in American
Freedom comes with the idea of being able to discover one’s own purpose in life. Throughout the book, he looks for a sense of self. He feels as though he needs someone or something in his life to cling to. Symbolic of this need is how he is referred to in this book. He doesn’t go by his own name, rather he is referred to in relation to another person, mother’s younger brother. He does not like being alone and doesn’t know how to handle it. This is why he follows Evelyn Nesbit around and quickly “falls in love” with her. Soon enough Evelyn realizes it’s more of the idea and her image that he is concerned with, rather than actually being in love with her. Many people and countries are like this. They don’t believe they can stand on their own and are constantly in need of others to tell them what to do and provide for them. Freedom is limited. Even though that is an oxymoron, it’s true. People can only be so free. No one can stand on their own and no country can truly survive without the support of another. No person can survive without some kind of reliance on others. Mother’s younger brother represents peoples fear of failure and being alone. The idea of freedom sounds so great but in reality people need some kind of structure. As a young idealistic male with little direction in life, mother’s younger brother eventually joins Coalhouse’s group of revolutionaries. He voluntarily puts himself under structure …show more content…
His idea of freedom is one of equality. Though the law may say one thing, it’s how the law is practiced that makes the difference. For example, Coalhouse tries to drive down a road past a fire station and is not permitted access by the white firemen. There is no law against him driving that way, however, policemen side with the firemen. At this point in time, racism is still extremely prevalent. History.com states, “In the years following the end of Reconstruction [1865-1877], the South reestablished many of the provisions of the black codes in the form of the so-called "Jim Crow laws." These remained firmly in place for almost a century, but were finally abolished with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.” Black codes were originally put into place in 1865, at the start of the Reconstruction era, in an attempt to enforce something as close to slavery as legally possible. The American Yawp Reader states that Black codes were made legal in society in order, “to regulate black behavior and impose social and economic control. While they granted some rights to African Americans – like the right to own property, to marry or to make contracts – they also denied other fundamental rights.” (TAY, “Mississippi Black Code, 1865,” n.p.) Following the Reconstruction era came the Progressive era, which was sparked in order to make economic, social, and political changes in American